Karikuy 2009 Catalog - The Classic Inca Trail

	7 Days, 6 Nights
Day 1	You arrive in Lima in the afternoon. After your reception you have the option of taking a nap after the long flight or you can head out with the rest of us to the main square for some sightseeing and shopping. In the evening the night is yours, giving you a chance to taste some of Peru's drinks and to get to know Limas' nightlife.
Day 2	In the morning you fly to Cusco, the capital city of the ancient Inca Empire. You head out on a tour of the city early in the afternoon. You'll have a chance to visit the Temple of the Sun and the Sacsayhuaman fortress overlooking the city. You'll also visit the main church in the Plaza de Armas, a jaw dropping sight as the interior is covered in gold and silver. At night Cusco lights up and dancing and drinking is the norm.
Day 3	Travelers are collected early from their hotels and travel by bus, through the picturesque villages of Chinchero, Urubamba and Ollantaytambo, for the 3½ hour scenic trip to kilometer 82 (the start of the trail. Hikers cross the Vilcanota River and follow the trail to the right as it climbs steeply up from the river. After passing through a small village, the ruins of the Inca hill fort of Huillca Raccay come into view high above the mouth of the river Cusichaca ('happy bridge'). It is a simple descent down to the Cusichaca river. For a further 7 km the path follows the left bank of the river up to the village of Wayllabamba (9,842ft a.s.l). The name in Quechua means 'grassy plain', here you will camp for the night.
Day 4	Climbing up from Wayllabamba for about 3 hours through steep woods and increasingly spectacular terrain brings you to the tree line and a meadow known as Llulluchapampa (12,073ft). It is another 1½ hours climb to the first and highest pass of the trail (Abra de Huarmihuañusca or 'Dead Woman's Pass) at 13,780ft. During this part of the trail hikers are exposed to the Andean elements: first scorching sun and then, closer to the pass, freezing winds. Once at the top hikers can celebrate having completed the most difficult section of the trail. The decent from the pass is steep although not difficult, following the trail on the left side of the valley to the valley floor and to the 2nd night's campsite at Pacamayo (11,811ft). There are toilet facilities here.
Day 5	From Pacamayo it takes about an hour to climb up to the ruins of Runkuracay. Another 45 minute hike will bring you to the top of the second pass: Abra de Runkuracay (13,123ft). At last you'll feel that you are walking along the trail of the Incas with paving, for the most part, being original. The descent down the steps from the pass is steep so take care. This section of the trail, up till the 3rd pass, is particularly beautiful as the path crosses high stone embankments and skirts deep precipices. After about 1 hour from the 2nd pass you'll arrive at Sayacmarca by way of a superbly designed stone staircase. From then on the path descends into magnificent cloud forest full of orchids, hanging mosses, tree ferns and flowers, passing through an impressive Inca tunnel, carved into the rock, on the way. The trail then climbs up to the 3rd pass (12,140ft). The view from the pass offers excellent views of several snow-capped peaks including Salkantay (20,570ft) and Veronica (18,864ft). A few minutes after the pass is Phuyupatamarca, the most impressive Inca ruin so far. The name means 'Town in the Clouds'. Access to the ruins is down a steep flight of stairs passing six 'Inca Baths' probably used for the ritual worship of water. Leaving the site via an impressive Inca staircase leading from the west side of the ruins (the far end from the baths) you descend a thousand or so steps. After about an hour of walking through cloud forest you may just be able to see the tin roof of the Trekkers Hostel at Wiñay Wayna, although it probably won't be for another 2 hours until you arrive. The Trekkers Hostel has a restaurant where you can purchase food, drinks and even a well deserved beer, as well as hot showers ($1.50) and toilets. A short trail leaves from the southern end of the hostel to the ruins of Wiñay Wayna. The name in Quechua means 'forever young' and is named after a variety of pink orchid which grows here. The ruins comprise magnificent agricultural terraces set in an impressive location. There are also many buildings of good quality stonework and a sequence of 10 baths, suggesting that the site was probably a religious center associated with the worship of water. Ritual cleansing may have taken place here for pilgrims on the final leg of the trail to Machu Picchu.
Day 6	The trail from the hostel to Machu Picchu is clearly marked and takes about 1½ hours. You should attempt to wake up at 4.30am so that you can leave Wiñay Wayna by 5.30am to get to Machu Picchu before sunrise. The sky starts getting light by 6am and the first rays of the sun reach Machu Picchu at about 7am. The trail contours a mountainside and drops into cloud forest before coming to an almost vertical flight of 50 steps leading up to the final pass at Intipunku (Sun Gate). Suddenly the whole of Machu Picchu is spread out before you in all its glory - a fantastic sight for all. You will have the rest of the day to tour the site as well as free roaming time and an ascent to Wayna Picchu. In the evening you will descend to Aquas Calientes for a quick lunch before departing for Cusco on Bus.
Day 7	In the morning you board a plane back to Lima. Depending on the hour of your return flight home you have the option to get some last minute shopping in or being driven to the airport to catch your flight home. That concludes The Classic Inca Trail. Hope you have fun!
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Length
7 Days and 6 Nights
Locations Visited
Lima Sacred Valley	Machu Picchu Cusco
Hotels (Standard Package)
Lima - Hotel España Cusco - Pirwa Posada del Corregidor
Includes
Domestic Airfare Transfers Lodging	Park Admission Transportation Inca Trail Meals
Not Included
International Airfare Meals (outside Inca Trail)